Patrick Stevens' coverage of college sports in D.C./Baltimore/Virginia, just the same as ever

11/28/2010

Miami coaching change a possible bowl selection game-changer

ACC bowl selection didn't seem like the most complicated thing for several weeks. Barring a run to a division title, it was simply difficult to see Maryland landing somewhere other than RFK Stadium.

And that may still wind up being the case.

But Miami's decision to fire coach Randy Shannon could damage the Hurricanes as a bowl target, and perhaps even help Maryland climb higher in the bowl pecking order.

Teams that change coaches before a postseason game have a way of being bowl kryptonite, and Miami could wind up slightly less appealing. But if a game --- like, say, the Sun Bowl --- is looking more for a national brand, the Hurricanes will be gobbled up fairly quickly despite their tailspin.

And that means the conventional wisdom throughout the rest of the bowl selection order would remain steady, and Maryland would be en route to East Capitol Street.

Is it fair that Maryland (8-4, 5-3 ACC) could wind up tumbling deep into the bowl selection order? In this year, it wouldn't be. The Terps probably deserve a better fate (read: a warmer place to spend a week) than to stay in D.C. It probably won't be a few more days, though, before everything starters to get clearer.